R&F
R&F MUSIC
Biography
Jeffrey Ryan
Mitch Faris
Taking the renaissance style of music to his own tastes, Jeffrey Ryan runs the gamut when it comes to influences and styles. When asked to name the two most important songs in music without hesitation he turns to Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’ and the Louis Armstrong version of ‘What a Wonderful World.’ A pivotal argument in college over the validity of a particular genre of music as a function of art helped shape and make him a more accepting of all musical forms and the artistic impact they have to the individual. For what is art if it is not impacting to the individual to take them to a place they would not otherwise have gone. Jeffrey Ryan was your typical kid, fortunate to have a welcome and whole childhood who had a caring stepfather in Neil…who recognized the need for an outlet to channel the emotional frustrations that come to a child of divorce. It was three chords and countless hours of ‘Guitar Magazine’ tablatures that helped him understand the instrument and what it could do. Yet it was all Neil that Jeffrey gave his credit and inspiration to. “Neil literally & figuratively game me the instrument to keep the emotions of life from exploding into something negative.”
In college, Jeffrey Ryan began to move beyond the shadows of doubt and insecurity often compromising high school teenagers. A talent show brought Jeffrey and Ed Burke together to form the band Blue Room. Six years and many iterations later, Ryan found himself forever grateful to have shared the stage with some of the most talented musicians he’s known in the likes of Steve Templeton (Guitar), Ed Burke (Guitar) Matt “Skip” Grover (Drums), Michael Paglione / Mike Boucher (Bass). After Blue Room, Ryan took time to evolve into the singer songwriter he has come into today. In the winter of 2007, he & Mitch Faris (Guitar) began playing together. Mitch was the first person he could consider a master musician and true collaborator whose patience and generosity both musically and as a person know no boundaries.
An ever shifting group of bands and musicians influence the style of Jeffrey Ryan. From the core base of the Black Crowes and Keith Urban to the soul of Marc Broussard or Jonny Lang to the brutal honesty and delicate touch of Ryan Adams. More recently, Jeffrey has also spent time honing his understanding of classical guitar in the likes of Andres Segovia and Estas Tonne while also making time for Ella Fitzgerald, the Sick Puppies, Tool and a bevy of random artists.
Recently Jeffrey has ventured into the art and craft of building guitars. Visit his blog to share his experiences and progress.
www.jefffeliton.wordpress.com
Musically, the sky is the limit these days. Recent challenges and personal tragedies alongside the global challenges this world faces have opened the vault into a better understanding of how music can help so many and Jeffrey & Mitch sure hope you enjoy the ride with them!
"Playin' makes me happy, it connects me to something higher. It's my six-string church."
As a little kid, I'd listen to my Uncle Jim play songs for the family barbecues. I was in awe of how he could move his fingers and make that “magic” happen. I talked my parents into getting me a guitar when I was 8 and I haven’t stopped.
Early-on I was lucky to study with a great, young O.C. guitarist named Larry Hanson, (later guitarist with Alabama and the Righteous Brothers), Larry really unlocked the secrets to the blues, rock and country. He taught me to use music to actually express myself. That's when I fell in love with playing lead guitar.
Later I hooked up with a great bluesman from Chicago, Mo’ Evans. I played guitar in his blues/soul cover band for about 10 years. Mo' is a great showman and I absorbed everything I could from watching him on stage every night.
I later studied songwriting/theory with Charlie Otwell, (Pianist/composer with Poncho Sanchez) I began to co-write songs with other writers in several "Original" bands, including Oliver and Dimestore Mystics.
In 2007 I wanted to move completely into writing of original material and that’s when I met Jeffrey Ryan. He was doing all original music on the coffee house circuit. I really liked his songwriting and vocals and I felt I could definitely collaborate on some great stuff with Jeffrey.
And..... here we are!